WARTS
Essentials of Diagnosis
•
These are caused by human papilloma viruses.
•
There are no symptoms.
•
Anogenital warts may produce itching.
•
These are verrucous papules on skin or mucous membrane
not larger than 1 cm in diameter.
•
Incubation period is 2-18 months and spontaneous
cures are noted.
•
Recurrences in 50% cases develop.
•
Flat warts are better seen under oblique
illumination.
•
Subungual warts may be dry and fissured.
•
Plantar warts look like corns.
•
In AIDS wart like lesions may be caused by
varicella zoster virus.
Treatment
o
Liquid nitrogen is applied to achieve a thaw
time of 20-45 seconds.
o
Liquid nitrogen may result in depigmentation.
o
Any salicylic acid products may be used.
o
5% cream of Imiquimod helps in clearing external
genital warts.
o
Anogenital warts may be treated carefully every
2-3 weeks with 25% podophyllum resin.
o
Plantar warts may be removed by blunt
dissection.
o
CO2 laser is effective for treating recurrent
warts.
o
Bleomycin diluted to 1 unit /ml may be injected
into warts.
